This is a good comprehensive list for preparedness. Also if you have never heard of the LDS preparedness manual it would be a good idea to perhaps look at that as well. It might just give you some additional ideas. If you just Google LDS preparedness manual you will find it
PREPAREDNESS TIP: THE 15 PILLARS OF PREPAREDNESS by Andrew Skousen
Becoming self-sufficient requires a broad base of knowledge and abilities. Although we can never become experts in everything, the more basic skills we acquire the higher our standard of living will be in hard times when equipment, goods and services will be scarce or impossible to find. After reviewing the many tips I have written in the past I have compiled 15 categories of essential areas for preparedness. Most of us “preppers” are well prepared in specific areas that interest us or match our abilities while neglecting others. As you read through this list, pay attention to which areas are strong or weak for you, then focus on bringing the weaker areas up to par. Every category is essential, and ideally, everyone would achieve some proficiency in all categories. This takes time, so don’t be discouraged. Try to take action on something every week, either in line with the tip topic I send out or another area needing attention. Here are the categories and some of the sub-topics to indicate the depth of each subject.
1) Water: Water storage—from spare containers to large, underground cisterns. Berkey and other water filters. Rainwater harvesting, wells, hand pumps, springs, treating surface water, etc.
2) Land: Secure land or secondary retreat with evacuation plan and 72 hour kits/bug out bags. Secluded property, natural barriers, mountain cabin vs. farm, hiding in plain site, vegetation, concealment strategies, fencing, defensive layout, etc.
3) Shelter: Reinforced home, window and door security, secure store rooms, fallout shelter, fences, security alarms, wood fireplaces, backup hot water system, toilets. Personal shelter—cold weather clothing, plastic for windows.
4) Growing and Gathering Food: Gardening—soil, compost, seed starting, the 4 major crops (corn, potatoes and other root vegetables, squash, and beans), harvest methods, and seed saving. Wild foraging—edible plants, berries, mushrooms and how to recognize and prepare them.
5) Preserving food: Canning (steam, water bath, pressure), freeze-drying, dehydrating, root cellar storing, fermenting, salting, smoking, curing, freezing and refrigerating.
6) Stockpiling Food: Grains, protein, oil/fats, dairy, canned goods, nuts and nut butter, salt and seasonings, sweeteners, extra foreign spices, etc. Food processing equipment—grain grinders, solar and other off-grid cooking methods, etc.
7) Food Animals: Raising, harvesting and preserving food from domestic and wild animals. Poultry, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, milk cow, cattle, horses, etc. Farm and pasture management, enclosures, water, feed, etc. Hunting wild game.
8) Self defense: Weapons (firearms, knives, etc.), guard dogs, empty hand techniques, body armor, night vision equipment, ammunition, reloading equipment, training.
9) Alternate Energy: Solar, batteries, generators, fuel storage, wood production, lights, flashlights/headlamps, etc.
10) Communication: Family band/GMRS (walkie-talkies), ham radio, shortwave, AM/FM radios, cell phones, landline telephones, computers.
11) Medical care: First aid, suturing, wound and burn care, bone splints, midwifery, herbs (growing, harvesting and using), fire cider and other preventative care, dental care, bentonite clay, iodine, detoxing after radiation sickness, etc.
12) Physical and mental conditioning: Physical fitness, teaching kids, homeschooling, mental toughness, true optimism, hope, choosing battles, working with a resistant spouse, etc.
13) Maintenance, Repair and Construction: Having the right tools, welding, riveting, sewing, fiberglass repair, stockpiling supplies like lumber, steel shapes, glues, fasteners, car parts.
14) Transportation: Better boots, bikes, cars, trailers, bug out vehicles, electric vehicles.
15) Sanitation: Making soap, shampoo, paper product alternatives (toilet paper, napkins and tissues), shaving supplies, washing machines, homemade detergents, borax, washing soda, lye from ashes, etc.
Preparedness is an ongoing effort. It takes time and sometimes requires putting off other pursuits or hobbies to advance our learning in these crucial areas. Often it requires delving into areas outside our comfort zone. Don’t balk at learning in these areas too. You will be surprised how much progress you can make if you just apply yourself and do your best. Whether changing a part on a car, taking a firearms/self-defense class, learning a new aspect of ham radios, or putting up a crock of sauerkraut, it will pay big dividends down the road and give you time to make mistakes before your life depends on it. [END]
Ukrainian forces have begun training and testing exoskeletons for battlefield use. Soldiers from the 147th Separate Artillery Brigade are using them in the Pokrovsk sector for both logistics and frontline operations. The goal is to reduce physical strain, especially when loading heavy artillery shells into howitzers without automatic loaders. Artillery crews can handle up to 1200 kg of ammunition per day, and early tests show that exoskeletons help them work faster and with less fatigue Above all, by improving the conditions for those soldiers on the front lines who handle such heavy loads, plus the stress of work. Seeking to reduce overall fatigue in the troops
🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱 - WAR IN IRAN | APRIL 5th, DAY 37 RECAP:
🇺🇸🇮🇷 - The NYT reports that during the operation in Iran, two U.S. transport aircraft intended to carry the airmen were disabled and abandoned, then blown up. Two MC-130J Combat King II rescue aircraft and four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters were deliberately destroyed by U.S. forces during the search and rescue mission in Iran, according to ABC News, citing U.S. officials.
🇮🇷🇦🇪 - Several fires have broken out at Abu Dhabi’s Borouge petrochemicals factory, with damage currently being assessed following an Iranian missile and drone attack. This comes less than 24 hours after Israel struck Iran’s largest petrochemical facility.
🇮🇷🇮🇱 - An Iranian ballistic missile impacted the Neot Hovav industrial zone near Beersheba in the first wave, the third time this industrial zone has been hit during the war.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 - "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. ...
F15E SHOOTDOWN AND CSAR OPERATION — FULL VERIFIED BREAKDOWN
APRIL 3 — THE SHOOTDOWN
F15E from the 494th Fighter Squadron out of RAF Lakenheath is hit over southwestern Iran.
Crash site confirmed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province near Dehdasht.
Wreckage includes ACES II ejection seat and tail section matching the squadron.
Cause
Iran claims it used a new IRGC air defense system.
Exact weapon system remains unconfirmed.
HOUR 0
Both crew eject.
Pilot activates survival radio and PRD immediately.
Contact established with U.S. aircraft overhead.
Pilot recovered within hours.
WSO lands separately in mountainous terrain.
WSO beacon briefly detected by satellites, then goes silent.
Reason unknown.
HOURS 1 TO 12
WSO begins evasion using SERE training.
Maintains intermittent encrypted communication with U.S. forces.
IRGC launches large scale search operation.
Iranian state TV urges civilians to report or capture the pilot.
Rewards up to $60,000 reported.
Public messaging includes calls to shoot on sight.
HOURS 12 TO 24
WSO moves into high ...
🌆 Market News Digest
April 5, 2026 EST
🔥 Top Stories
• Iranian missile strikes escalate in Israel and Lebanon amid US threats — Iran retaliates with missile attacks; US warns of targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
• Iran demands ships pay fees in crypto or yuan to transit Strait of Hormuz — Rising tensions threaten global oil supply.
• Trump warns Iran of destruction if no deal by Tuesday — US President sets aggressive deadline, threatening to target Iranian infrastructure.
• Bitcoin hits $67,000 on Easter, up 80% YTD amid Middle East turmoil — Crypto markets react to geopolitical instability.
• OPEC+ plans to unwind 206K barrels/day in May, citing energy supply concerns — Market anticipates potential oil price fluctuations.
⛽ Oil & Energy
• Oil surges over 80% YTD on Iran tensions, with prices above $108 — Traders eye supply disruptions.
• Iranian energy minister reports surplus electricity, despite attacks — Iran maintains energy stability amid conflict.
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